Well last week was an interesting one, and I sure was glad it fell during the taper. Traveling for work can really throw a wrench in marathon training, and for those of you who do it all the time, I’m not sure how you manage it. Between working long hours, not sleeping enough, and not eating well, my running was a struggle. I only had 2 short runs on my schedule when I was there, but that meant doing my long run when I got back on Sunday, at which point I was completely exhausted. I’ll take you through the week in running along with a few notes about my trip to New Orleans:)
Monday: 5 miles easy, core and hip exercises
Tuesday: AM: 9 miles with 2 mile warm up, 3 x (1 mile @ 8:30, 1 mile @ 8:10), 1 mile cool down
PM: Strength training
Wednesday: Rest day- traveled to New Orleans. I had an 8 am flight so there really wouldn’t be time to squeeze in a workout. Instead I got in my strength training on Tuesday evening. We got into New Orleans pretty early and had the day to walk around and sightsee.
Thursday: Rest day- Worked 11 hours at the conference. I always enjoy attending these conferences (and I am so grateful that I get to attend- our organization holds an annual conference on advancing school mental health each year) but between working registration, moderating sessions throughout the day, and presenting at a session, I was totally beat by the time it was over. However, we were in New Orleans and wanted to take advantage so went out for dinner and drinks that evening.
Friday: 5 mile easy, and an attempt at some core work in the hotel room.
Friday was another busy day at the conference, but I didn’t have to be there until 8:15 so I had time to run in the morning. After the sessions were over we had a registration/poster session that went until 7pm. All my coworkers were supposed to meet for drinks at a bar at 8:30, so the night was off to a late start.
I was out way past my bedtime, but we all had fun celebrating another successful conference.
Saturday: 4 miles easy
After a late night out on Friday night, this run was a struggle. I knew I would feel better if I got it done (which I did) but I was still so, so tired. We had a few hours of sessions on Saturday morning, but had some time to get food before our flight back. I finally made it to Cafe Du Monde for a beignet!
I got back home around 9pm on Friday night, and ended up texting my coach because I felt like there was no way I could do the prescribed run the next morning. She made some changes and told me to do the best I could.
Sunday: 16 miles with 11 at MGP
This ended up going even better than planned (I was able to do the original workout), so I was really happy about that. It probably helped that there was perfect weather Sunday morning, especially after running in New Orleans where it was 70 degrees and humid.
Total: 39 miles
Now my focus is really going to be back on taking care of myself. I feel like between the changes in temperature, lack of sleep, not eating well, and sharing a hotel room with my coworker who had a cold, I am just asking to get sick. Hopefully getting back to my normal routine will prevent that from happening.
How do you stay healthy when you are at high-risk for getting a cold?
Have you ever been to New Orleans?
How do you manage traveling during training?
Linking up with HoHo Runs and MissSippiPiddlin for the weekly wrap!
I’m definitely not one to travel well so I think you did a great job getting everything in! And that long run was amazing considering your week!
Thanks! Once again, I got all worried about an upcoming run and it ended up going better than planned…
I don’t have to travel all that often but I do know how tough it is to not only get a workout in but get a good one in at the same time! Hotel treadmills for me are never fun and I feel off but I have done a few miles and been glad about it. I haven’t been to New Orleans!
I tend to wake up at the ass crack of dawn, and particularly when I travel, so I was able to throw in a workout before my RRCA course, but otherwise, it is something I really have to prioritize. If traveling for pleasure, it is way easier than if traveling for work, when you don’t have any control over what you are doing!
Absolutely! I definitely enjoy getting in my workouts when I am traveling for pleasure. Especially because I also wake up early so it just makes sense to get in a workout before starting the day.
Training for races was always so hard when I worked for the airlines
I do not miss that schedule. Glad you got to go to cafe de monde. Maybe those few days of a break from running was just what you needed to return home and get another great long run in.
I don’t know how you did it!
I ran my first half in New Orleans almost two years ago. Unfortunately, it was a quick trip and we didn’t have much time for sightseeing. I would love to go back one day. Great job on your long run after traveling! Sometimes the best runs come when you least expect it!
Great pictures of New Orleans. I’d really like to visit someday. It’s been on my travel bucket list for a while but I never seem to pull the trigger which is silly since it’s really not that far from me. You may have just convinced me to make the trip next year, although the humidity doesn’t sound too appealing … then again I should be used to that!
I hope that you’re able to avoid getting sick! I don’t know how teachers do it, you guys have the best immune systems of anyone on the planet!
Not sure if New Orleans is always that humid, because I heard it was humid everywhere last week!
I don’t travel a lot but if I do something short, I try to schedule rest days for days I am away from home. Now if I have a longer vacation obviously that is not possible, and a lot of times I enjoy running in new places, especially if it’s just a “la dee da” run, not speedwork or anything.
Yes, I definitely try to avoid having to do any intense runs while I am away! Its tough to figure out the logistics for something like that.
New Orleans looks so pretty! I hope you don’t catch a cold. I try to workout when I travel and usually just squeeze in what type of run I can manage on the hotel treadmill – I worry about getting lost on a run in a different city.
Kudos on keeping up with your training so well while traveling, dealing with hot and humid temps, working a lot, and late nights! Keeping up with training while traveling is my biggest challenge, and I never seem to get it right. You are really an inspiration! Definitely take care of yourself this week so you don’t get sick!
I love NoLa! Such great history–and great food! I typically just take it easy on vacations so I can enjoy the trip; otherwise, I have a tendency to obsess over my workouts. I work at a middle school so I’m obviously at a high risk for getting sick. Whenever I feel a cold coming out, I use Zicam!
I’ve heard alot of good things about zicam, I may need to look into that!
I’ve never been to New Orleans but would love to go someday! When traveling I try to use running as a good chance to explore whatever area I’m in 🙂
I can’t really stop getting a cold when it’s coming on, but I did find last year downing Airborne after I got sick seemed to help kick the cold faster. I think I went through one tablet each in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and kept doing that until I felt better.
Great job getting that run in on Saturday! Sometimes post-Friday night drink runs end up being the best kind! It’s funny how it works out that way.
Running was my go-to hangover cure in college senior year. People thought I was crazy but it really did work.
Wow great job on your long run after a busy work trip. When I used to travel for work and then pull extra long hours to get so much done I was exhausted.
I have family in New Orleans and we a few years ago for the IM 70.3. That was sure a scary swim in their dirty lake. I loved how wonderful and friendly the people are there and the food!
Its such a great city!
I am so glad you enjoyed NOLA, looks like you got to enjoy a run on the riverwalk too, how was it? Did you see any barges go by? What about the riverboats? I just think it is a different kind of place there. You never know what you will see, who you will meet either. They have so many places you could run too. If you ever go back you need to check out Audubon Park it is a great place to run too. We ran through it as part of the Jazz Half. Glad you made it to Cafe du monde aren’t those beignets just so awesome? Pat O’Brians is a must as well. So glad I got to see this and re-live my trips there. Have a great week Lisa!
I didnt notice any barges or riverboats, but it was kind of early in the morning so maybe thats why. It was such a fun an interesting city! And the beignets were amazing!
I have been to New Orleans a few times, but it’s been a while. Their weather is similar to ours. Hot and humid. Welcome to my world. 🙂 Great job on your long run after the traveling! Before a big race I obsessively wash my hands, suck on vitamin C drops, and drink Emergen-C. And, that’s when I haven’t been exposed to anyone who is sick. LOL. I appreciate you linking with us, Lisa! Good luck as you head toward Route 66! (I got an email today saying they have a few spots left. So tempting!!)
I hope you don’t get sick! Try to rest up as best you can. I honestly think that avoiding being run down is the best way to avoid a cold.
I have a conference next week as well and it’s going to interfere with my long run. I need to ask my coach about it, but I think I might try to do my long run on Wednesday before I go. It’ll really mess with my week, but at least then I only need to worry about fitting in time for 4-5 mile runs and some cross training, which is a lot easier than trying to make time for a 2+ hour long run!
Sometimes its nice to get those long runs out of the way before traveling, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the other runs that week!
I’m so jealous of your New Orleans pics, Lisa; I love it there! I grew up around six hours west, in southeast Texas, and Cafe du Monde is THE BEST! I can almost smell it right now – ha! I’m glad you made it home and are back in your routine; that was definitely a tough trip and I know you’ll get back to resting and recovering before the race.
welcome to my world of heat and humidity in the fall!! ahhh, but then again I get to run outside all winter, perks of being in the south 🙂 I cant believe you ran outside in New Orleans, you are braver than me. Then again Im super paranoid 😛 Glad you had a good conference and were able to get your goal sunday. perfect weather does wonders for a run doesnt it!
I really think the weather made a huge different for my run when I got back on Sunday!
Good luck with staying healthy and with the rest of your training! My husband and I ran the Rock ‘N Roll Half Marathon in New Orleans about 2 years ago for our Louisiana state race. We absolutely LOVED it! The music, the food, the whole experience was amazing! Happy running!
Great training mileage even with all that travel involved. I love being in New Orleans for the RnR half marathon 2 years ago. Ate all the food and drank all the drinks. I frequently put a package of Emergen-C in my water bottle during my training runs if I think I may be coming down with a cold. It’s yummy and I don’t think it can hurt anything – although I did read that you can only have 1 package a day…too much vitamin C I guess.
It seems like everyone around me is getting sick right now, so I’m taking my vitamins and chugging vitamin C drinks and covering myself in hand sanitizer. The last thing I need is a cold before this weekend! So excited for you and your upcoming race!! You’re going to kill it.
I have never been to New Orleans! I want to though!! I don’t travel much so I can’t speak to that, but during cold and flu season I take zinc, echinacea, and elderberry daily to help my immune system…and sleep. Well, that’s hard to come by at my house, but I hear it helps 😉
Great job, especially with your long run after such a long week! Traveling really can be so tiring, I agree. I am always so impressed with people who travel regularly and train while doing so. And I can’t believe that restaurant is open 24 hours a day!
You’re so impressive for sticking with so many miles. I wouldn’t have been surprised if you busted out 5 miles after that 11 hour day but I’m happy to see you didn’t haha. I still need to get to New Orleans! It looks like such a great city, especially for a foodie.
You should definitely get there if you have the chance!
I’ve never been to Nola but I hear fabulous things… potentially going for a bachelorette party which I think would be absolutely fantastic! Traveling during training has always been hard for me, but I find that front loading my miles, and having my lower milage runs scheduled when I’m away (especially for work) usually works best for me!
Great week of training!
Scheduling shorter and easier runs while traveling is key! I hope you do get a chance to visit Nola soon!